INTRODUCTION I nformation and Communication Technology (ICT) has the capacity to transform small developing island states and emerging economies like St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG). ICT has already transformed many parts of the world by reducing or negating the impact of time, space, and size. For countries such as Singapore and Malta, it has become less and less important where they are located in the world or their size in physical terms. Despite their limited physical resources, they now have the ability to produce goods and services that are considered desirable by other countries of the world. Their size and island status no longer determine the quality of the service that they deliver to their citizens, businesses, and visitors. What these countries have done over the past decade, is to embrace and adapt ICT for their own use and to create a sustainable competitive advantage. They have motivated their citizens and businesses to take advantage of the enabling capabilities of ICT for their own gain, and ultimately for the benefit of their countries. The Global Context Internationally there is agreement on ICT development goals, including those in the Millennium Declaration, the Monterrey Consensus The Objectives, goals and targets outlined in WSIS. C1. The role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development C2. Information and communication infrastructure: an essential foundation for the Information Society C3. Access to information and knowledge C4. Capacity building C5. Building confidence and security in the use of ICTs C6. Enabling environment C8. Cultural diversity and identity, linguistic diversity and local content C9. Media C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life. C10. Ethical dimensions of the Information Society C11. International and regional cooperation and the Johannesburg Declaration and Plan of Implementation. The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) which took place in 2003 in Geneva and in 2005 in Tunis established a Plan of Action. One of its chief aims was to bridge the so-called global digital divide separating rich countries from poor countries by spreading access to the Internet in the developing world. The ITU, through the WSIS goals, is also seeking to leverage ICT to advance developmental goals. The ultimate outcome is the building of a framework of an all-inclusive and equitable information society. SVG’s ICT Strategy and Action plan in line with the WSIS action line items focuses on, among other things, ICT infrastructure, access, capacity building and economic development. Additionally, SVG’s Strategy and Plan is well timed to benefit from this global emphasis being placed on ICT and can expect significance guidance and insight from other global bodies such as OECD and non-OECD governments, private sector actors, civil society organisations, regional and international organisations as they work together to accomplish the goal at hand. Introduction P a g e | 11